The phrase “I have nothing to wear” is common enough, but wedding season makes people shout it from the rooftops. If you’re in your twenties or thirties, you may have at least one ceremony per weekend during the wedding season. Some will be casual, others will be semi-formal, and dress codes are always a possibility. What are the rules of wedding guest attire? How can we make it through without maxing out every credit card? Here are our top do’s and don’ts when considering what to wear. Here's a quick rundown of elements to think of when choosing the perfect outfit as a wedding guest! Everything from traditional attire etiquette to weather should be considered. The attire you wear to a beach will (obviously) be much different than the outfit you rock at a ritzy hotel. Consult the dress code provided, but use common sense when it’s time to decide between sandals and heels. Know the forecast before you leave the house. Be prepared for rain, snow, or whatever else Mother Nature decides to throw at you. Ladies, the most important thing to consider is wind! Do not wear a shorty, flowy gown that you’ll have to hold down all evening. The last thing you want is a Marilyn Monroe moment in front of 200 people. This may seem obvious, but so many people forget that summer evenings can still be a bit nippy! Layers are a great go-to, but if the event is an evening affair, consider a maxi dress or long-sleeved cocktail look. This isn’t the first time you’ve heard this, but I can’t leave it out. White is an obvious faux pas, but be careful with champagne, cream, and even light shades of gold and tan. Brides are going for colored wedding dresses these days, so an awkward match can happen when you least expect it. Obviously someone with a lack of love for the Little Black Dress came up with this rule years ago without thinking of its flattering and fashionable traits. At modern weddings, wearing black can be perfectly acceptable within reason. Just make sure you aren’t wearing something that you’d wear for a funeral. Since a wedding is a celebration and some people might misinterpret your choice to wear black, it might be safer to wear a brighter, cheerier color. Don’t mistake a casual dress code for jeans and a t-shirt; those are never acceptable unless you’re specifically told by the bride and groom that they’re having jean and t-shirt nuptials. Trade in your Levi’s for a pair of khakis or slacks. You’re still participating in an important ceremony even if it’s a casual affair. Remember that concept of “wind” we discussed above? The dreaded Marilyn Monroe moment? An easy way to avoid potential slip of nudity is to make sure you’re wearing the proper undergarments for your outfit. You also don’t want the entire room seeing your underwear, bra, or shapewear. Make sure all your layers fit well and will stay put comfortably during hours of sitting, standing, eating, and dancing. Sequins, animal prints, bright red, and other over-the-top designs are fun for a night out but not the right choice for a wedding. Of course you want to look good but you don’t want to be the center of attention at someone else’s wedding. The focus should always be on the bride, not your outfit. If you’re stuck, there’s nothing better than getting advice from a fellow attendee. That way you can exchange ideas and will be less likely to commit a fashion faux pas. You could also avoid the potential “one of us needs to change” moment by making sure you aren’t wearing the same thing as other guests. Summer calls for showing a little skin, but don’t go over the top. This is similar to the rule about going too bold. You don’t want to be a distraction from the bride on her big day. If you find yourself in between a few dress options, it’s safer to err on the side of modesty when it comes to wedding attire. Below are some guidelines for each wedding dress code. While these suggestions are gendered, you can always opt for a more gender-neutral option if you’d like as long as it is formal enough for the wedding couple’s chosen dress code. Black tie weddings require a full tuxedo for men, preferably with patent leather shoes, and of course a black tie. In summer men could wear a white jacket with tuxedo pants. Women are expected to wear a full length gown that is formal and covers their ankles. A formal pantsuit can also be a great option. Another name for a formal event is “black-tie optional” which gives a good idea of the dress code’s intentions. A formal wedding is fancy enough for men to wear a tuxedo but they could also opt for a nice black suit with a simple tie. Women should still opt for a full-length gown but could make due with a nice cocktail dress. Cocktail attire for men is a suit and tie. For women, cocktail attire could be a knee length or longer dress. The intention is to still look very classy without being quite as strict in dress code as a formal wedding. Semi-formal might be the most common wedding dress code. Think date night at the nicest restaurant in your town. Men should definitely wear slacks and a dress shirt but they can choose if they’d like to wear a tie and sport jacket or not. Women should wear a nice dress, skirt, or pants. An important factor in dressing for a beach wedding is the weather. Men can wear a nice linen shirt or a breathable button down with khakis or slacks. Women can wear a nice sundress or flowy skirt. Don’t dress down too much just because you’re on the beach, it’s still a wedding. Just remember to wear something that can withstand an ocean breeze and will be comfortable in hot weather. You may want to consider something that won’t show sweat in case it’s an especially hot day. The length & fabric is more important pending on time of day and season. Well black dresses are really elegant. I love black dresses myself. But we should wear it in the right place. If you know what I mean. For me, wearing it on a wedding is a Big NO NO! Except if that’s OK with the couple getting married of course. Or for some reason that’s their wedding theme. But if not I suggest not too. My MIL was wearing FULL LONG BLACK dress on my wedding day. I was so upset obviously. She was so visible in our wedding pictures given she’s the only one wearing black. Like she’s not aware of our wedding theme.. . Hi, just came across this website.  Its a brilliant illustration of how small to medium sized firms can use Awards based marketing to get their companies ranked on the 1st page of Google.  Awards programmes offer many benefits to participants. After all they bring publicity and you can share the news of your win with your employees, clients, industry peers and target market as much as you like. Additonally awards offer prestige and status, giving potential customers peace of mind that they are working with a reputable company.   There are many types of awards programmes, including those that host awards ceremonies (and you pay per table), organisations that award only their members (and you pay for membership and advertising) and those that provide marketing materials. The latter is a great way for those who are unsure about the benefits of using corporate awards programmes because generally nominees and winners do not have to pay a penny to be a participant.  Participants often receives online recognition, usually with a reach much greater than their own marketing efforts can offer.  Other free benefits can include the use of an press release.  Most participants have the option to purchase additional marketing materials to further enhance their win, if they wish to, for use in social media campaigns, on their own website, email marketing campaigns or in customer newsletters. I thought wearing black meant you looked unfavorably on the match. Thanks for creating a Showroom! Tell your friends about your Wedding. Join the showroom to discuss and choose your favorite dresses. © 2024 The Wedding Shoppe Inc. All rights reserved. Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. You can update your browser from the link below.